Rein-guide.



N 4,2l4 Patented Nov. 25, 1902.

H.- u. mums.

Rim GUIDE.

(Application filed July 29, 1901.)

I (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY N. MARTIN, OF DONIPHAN, NEBRASKA.

RElN-GUIDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,214, dated November 25, 1902.

Application filed July 29, 1901. $erial No. 70,088- (No model.)

To (0Z5 whom zit may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY N. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Doniphan, in the county of Hall and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein-Guides, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to harness attachments, and particularly to a rein-guide adapted to be attached to the hames of a harness.

The object of the invention is to provide a rein-guide of simple, durable, and inexpensive construction and arrangement of parts having interlocking parts pivoted on the roller-spindle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a peculiar rein-guide which will permit either single or double reins being operated therethrough without twisting the reins, but insuring a flat condition thereof and free movement therethrough.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a rein-guide having novel interlocking parts, one part being pivoted on one end of the roller-spindle and the other part being pivoted on the other end and adapted to be locked together by a strap which conmeets the guide to the hames.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and special arrangement of parts, and resides, essentially, in loosely pivoting the interlocking parts on the roller-spindle, so that the roller is free to rotate, revolve, or oscillate with the movement of the rein, and the interlocking parts may be moved on their pivots independent of the roller to lock and unlock said parts.

Other objects, advantages, and improved results accruing from my improved rein-guide construction will be revealed in the specification and claims to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the guide. Fig. 2 is an elevatoin showing the guide open or unlocked. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the interlocking parts. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the roller-spindle.

The same numeral references denote the same parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The interlocking parts 1 and 2, which form a stirrup, are identicalin shape and construction, and for this reason but one of them will be described in detail. The member consists of a rectangular plate 3, having a slot I lengthwise thereof, an arm or stirrup-leg 5 extending from one end of and at right angles to the plate 3 and forming a tapering flange 6 for said plate end, the said arm terminating in a pivot-bearing 7, a lengthwise edge flange 8, and a wedge-shaped flange 9 on the other end of the plate and provided with a notch 10. The notch of one plate receives the flange 8 of the other plate, and the notched flange 9 of one plate is positioned on the inner side of the arm-flange 6 of the other plate when the members 1 and 2 are interlocked and in locked positionthat is, the end flanges of the members overlap each other and interlock when the members are swung together on their pivots.

The juncture of the flange 8 and the plate is converted or rounded for the purpose of permitting afree movement of the rein thereon, and when the members are interlocked the slots register with each other for the passage of a strap to attach the holder to the hames.

The roller 13 is loosely mounted on a spindle 14., having shoulders 15 and pivot ends 16 for the bearings 7 of the arms 5. When the members are in locked position, the flanges 8 stand flush with each other and form, with the roller, a free smooth passage for the rein. In this position the holder is wedge-shaped, as the plates are set on an incline, and the end flanges and arms taper from their pivot end to the edge of the plates.

It will be observed that the rein-bearing surface of the guide is very slight, thus saving much wear and tear on the reins, that the space between the flanges Sand the roller is ample for the passage of the rein, yet of such arrangement that the rein is prevented from twisting or buckling therein, and that the portion of the guide for attachment to the hames is made unusually thin by reason of its wedge shape, so that there is no interference between the holder and hames and but little strap length is required for attachment.

It isobvious that in assembling the parts no elements are employed other than the IOC parts themselves, and when they are assembled'the guide is ready for use.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. Aline or rein guide, comprising a roller and a stirrup consisting of two members, each having a journal bearing therein for the roller, and each having a slotted plate bounded on one side and the ends by flanges, the

end flanges adapted to interlock to bring the slots together for the passage of a strap.

2. A line or rein guide, comprising a roller and a stirrup consisting of two members each having a journal-bearing for the roller, and each havinga slotted lateral plate, end flanges on each plate, and aside flange on each plate, the said end flanges interlocking to make the slots register with each other for the passage of a securing-strap.

3. A line or rein guide, comprising aroller and a stirrup consisting of two members each having a journal-bearing for theroller, a slotted plate extending laterally from each stirrup-leg so as to have the free end of each stirrup-leg form one of the end flanges of said plates, an inturned flange lengthwise the plates, and a tapering'or inclined flange at the end of the plates opposite the leg-flange.

4. A wedge-shaped rein-guide comprising a spindle having shoulders and. pivot ends, a roller loosely mounted on the spindle between the shoulders, a stirrup consisting of two rectangular inclined slotted plates each having a tapering arm or stirrup-leg pivoted to the spindle independent of the roller, and flanges on the plates which interlock when the plates are swung together.

5. A wedge-shaped rein-guide comprising a spindle having shoulders and pivot ends, a roller loosely mounted on the spindle between said shoulders, a rectangular slotted inclined plate having a tapering arm terminating at one end in a bearing for one of the spindle ends, and at the other end in a flange for one end of the plate, a like plate having a like arm pivoted to the other end of the spindle, inclined flanges on the other ends of the said plates, a notch in each of said inclined flanges, and lengthwise flanges on the plates which engage said notches when the plates are locked.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY N. MARTIN.

Witnesses:

G. A. SANFORD, LESLIE E. BATES. 

